A PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in the United States, has devised a new sustainable care and delivery model for prosthetics in Sierra Leone.

Through the Yang Center and supported by a fellowship from the new MIT Morningside Academy for Design, Riccio-Ackerman is working to improve access to orthotic and prosthetic services in the country.

In January 2023, Riccio-Ackerman’s team launched a four-year collaboration with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation, aiming to enable Sierra Leoneans to obtain professional prosthetics training. This will empower them to care for r own communities, improving access to these services for those in need.

“We’re forging ahead in Sierra Leone and thinking about translating our strategy and methodologies to other communities around the globe that could benefit,” said Riccio-Ackerman.

“We hope to be able to do this in many, many countries in the future,” she added.

With this innovative approach to prosthetics care, Riccio-Ackerman’s work has the potential to impact millions of people around the world.